Orkin, a leader in the pest control industry, has launched a bold new national campaign titled "Pests Are Smart, Orkin Pros Are Smarter" in partnership with creative agency DDB Chicago. This campaign aims to highlight the surprising cleverness of pests as they attempt to infiltrate our homes and businesses – and the even smarter Orkin professionals who stop them in their tracks.
The central idea behind the campaign is simple yet effective: pests may be smart, but Orkin Pros are always one step ahead. Featuring beer-loving cockroaches and fearless backyard mosquitoes, each advertisement in the series showcases the cunning ways pests attempt to outsmart homeowners – only to be thwarted by Orkin’s expert team. Each pest character is brought to life using handcrafted puppets, designed by the same creative team behind Wes Anderson’s films, adding a unique and cinematic touch to the spots.
Incorporating real entomological facts, the campaign takes a playful yet educational approach to pest control. The charming puppets, voiced by Brian Huskey, Hugh Scott, and Chris Candy (son of comedy legend John Candy), add humor and personality to the creatures, making them unexpectedly relatable while still emphasizing the intelligence of both the pests and the Orkin Pros who defeat them.
“We wanted to spotlight just how smart and well-trained our Orkin Pros really are,” said Cam Glover, vice president of marketing at Orkin USA. “So, we mixed real pest facts with a little puppet magic to bring each scenario to life. The result? A fun, memorable way to show how Orkin delivers serious know-how—and serious peace of mind—to every home and business we serve.”
With the start of the warmer season, the timing of the campaign is strategic, aligning with the peak of pest activity. The four 15- to 30-second spots feature pests with unique personalities, each frustrated that their efforts to invade homes have been foiled by the knowledge and expertise of an Orkin Pro. The campaign underscores Orkin’s professional capabilities during the most active pest season of the year.
“Working closely with Orkin’s team of entomologists allowed us to develop a campaign rooted in scientific accuracy, while bringing a distinct, creative, almost human-like edge to how we portray pests,” explained Colin Selikow, CCO at DDB Chicago. “The result is a visually striking and unexpected take on pest control that balances credibility with imaginative storytelling.”
The campaign, which launched today, will run through September 2025, with major placements during high-visibility events like the NHL playoffs and championship games. By blending humor, creativity, and scientific facts, Orkin and DDB Chicago have crafted a campaign that not only promotes pest control but also entertains and educates viewers in a memorable way.
